City League Roundup…Perry claims City League title with 32-0 shutout of Brashear

Senior quarterback Greg McGhee did in the City League title game for Perry what he’s done all year.

He flustered the defense with both his left arm and his legs. McGhee scored three touchdowns—two rushing—as the top-seeded Commodores defeated the tournament’s third-seed, Brashear (6-5), 32-0, at Cupples Stadium for the League crown on Saturday.

CITY LEAGUE CHAMPS—The Perry Commodores players celebrate after defeating the Brashear Bulls 32-0 to win the 2010 City League championship Saturday at Cupples Stadium.

McGhee finished 6 of 10 for 183 yards through the air and scored on runs of 40 and 1 yards and led Perry to its first title since 2005.

“It really feels good to be back on top,” Perry coach Bill Gallagher said. “We lost a tough one two years ago in the title game to this same Brashear team so it feels good to be able to avenge that today.”

After the game, McGhee was given the first-ever Jeron Grayson Most Valuable Player Award. The award was named in honor of the former Schenley defensive back who was killed at a party at California University’s homecoming in October.

Grayson earned the City Title game’s MVP award last season for the Spartans in a historic performance that helped them to their first league championship in over 50 years.

“Grayson was a great guy and I am very proud to receive this honor,” McGhee said. “He was a very good athlete. I believe he actually picked me off last season. It was a good thing that they named it after him.”

Devin Ghafoor was on the receiving end of a McGhee touchdown pass that went for 69 yards on a perfectly thrown ball that led the receiver streaking past his defender and down the sideline.

But it wasn’t just the passing game that clicked for the Commodores. Running back Chinelo Oparanozie paced the running game with 79 yards on 18 attempts. He also opened the scoring for Perry (11-1) on a 5-yard run with 5:47 left in the first quarter. McGhee also produced 73 yards on 13 attempts on the ground.

MOST?VALUABLE—Quarterback Greg McGhee is carried by teammates after receiving the Sportsworld.com Jeron Grayson MVP trophy. McGhee ran for two touchdowns and threw for one to lead Perry. (Photos by William McBride)

Perry went into the half with a modest halftime lead. But the depth of their offense enabled them to close the door on Brashear after the intermission. After Ghafoor’s catch and McGhee’s 1-yard score put the margin to 26-0 in the third quarter, sophomore running backs Curtis Edmonds and Robert Willie replaced Oparanozie—a fellow tenth grader, and wore down the Bulls defense. Willie would eventually break the plane on a 4-yard run to put the game on ice for the Commodores in the fourth quarter.

“Perry is all about tradition,” Gallagher said. “These guys are always waiting on their opportunities, and they go very hard in practice. They are aware of what our goals are week in and week out, and they come ready to play when we need them.”

Brashear was only able to gain 10 yards of total offense—minus 2 through the air and 12 on the ground. Their junior quarterback Adam Lynch finished 3 of 12 passing.

In the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs, Perry is set to take on State College at Cupples Stadium on Friday at 7p.m. Also, Oliver is the City’s Class AA representative and they will take on Brockway at Clarion University on Friday at 7p.m.